For the second third time in three weeks, a Southwest Hawaii flight has had an over-water diversion. Today, Southwest flight 1281 departed Oakland this morning at 9:38 AM, and was inbound to Maui. Something severe enough occurred mid-Pacific that the plane made a u-turn nearing the half way point to Hawaii. Data from Flightaware would seem to indicate the diversion took place at just over 90 minutes into the flight. The flight did a u-turn then landed safely at Oakland at 12:42 PM. There was an unexplained delay before the aircraft actually arrived at the gate, thirty minutes later. Southwest said only that the cause was a “mechanical issue requiring review.” The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737MAX 8.
Another plane was brought to the ready and the flight, now en route to Maui, departed Oakland at 2:55 PM and is due in Kahului at 4:49 PM. The replacement aircraft is also a Boeing 737MAX 8.
What caused the flight diversion?
It had earlier been reported that the plane had a missing engine panel, but apparently that information was not correct. Another report indicated there may have been a problem with engine thrust reversers. We’ll update this as soon as we have more definitive information.
July 25 mid-Pacific smoke-in-cabin diversion on Southwest Boeing 737MAX 8.
You may recall that last month, a Southwest 737 Max-8 flying from Kona to Las Vegas diverted. That incident was reportedly due to smoke in the cockpit and occurred rather soon after takeoff. The plane landed safely in Honolulu.
August 6 Maui to Sacramento Diversion for a possible fuel leak and engine shutdown.
Then on August 6, SW1188, a Boeing 737MAX 8 traveling from Maui to Sacramento diverted to Oakland. A comment we received said it may have been due to “a fuel leak and had to shut down one engine for the final 90 minutes to the mainland.” Thanks for this tip David B.
Safety onboard flights over the world’s longest stretch of water without a diversion point.
Read: Hawaii Has the World’s Longest Over-Water Flights.
Kudos to Southwest for the safe return to Oakland.
If you were on that flight, please let us know.
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David B says
That isn’t the second time. It is the third time in 2 weeks. SW1188 from Maui to Sacramento was diverted to Oakland 8/6 with a fuel leak and had to shut down 1 engine for the final 90 minutes to the mainland.
Ed. C says
Judging from all the down votes to comments critical of Southwest, there must be a lot of Southwest cult members subscribed to BOH….
Aloha, BOH. 4 more weeks until we’re back for the 16th time!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ed.
Welcome back!
Aloha.
Warren M says
Might try inverting that Ed…
Jeff L says
On August 8, Alaska Air flight #806 from Maui to San Diego was nearly two hours into the flight when it got diverted back to Honolulu. The passengers had to stay overnight and depart the next morning, on flight #9201 from Honolulu to San Diego. Nearly one hour into that flight, the same plane was diverted back to Honolulu again. On the very next day, August 10, Alaska Air Flight #895 from San Diego to Honolulu was 30 minutes into the flight before it got diverted back to San Diego.
In short, Southwest was diverted twice in three weeks but I think Alaska Air “takes the cake” with three Hawaii diversions in three days.
This info can also be found on Flight Aware.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jeff.
Thanks so much for that. These incidents were not reported by the sources which typically provide aviation incident updates.
Aloha.
Paul says
With Southwest being the largest airline in the world by seats available (168,852,981 seats) they would have a few more aircraft problems day-to-day, and overall a much lower percentage of problems than Hawaiian and other U.S. airlines. businessinsider.com/20-biggest-airlines-in-the-world-southwest-american-delta-2022-8
The 737 Max 8 is just as safe as any other modern aircraft flying today.
When comes to the difference between flying Hawaiian and Southwest, and all the others, I fly Southwest when ever I can. Why do I fly Southwest? No nickel and diming for baggage and flight changes, consistently more legroom in coach. Most of all a consistent experience I can trust to always to the best and right thing.
Koloa M. says
ETOPS is freaky; but it’s not like the DC-10s we flew on for half my life were so safe in retrospect.
Jared X says
Seems dumb to divert back to the origination point if they are already halfway–or even close to halfway–to the destination point. I’m willing to bet that statistically far more of these diversions turn out to be relatively minor / uneventful situations (i.e. the plane does not crash on route back to the airport 99% of the time)–so why unnecessarily disrupt hundreds of passengers travel plans over something relatively minor?
Sherri S says
I know the write-up said “midway” but it also said “90 minutes.” Flights from Oakland to Maui take at least 5 hours.
Paul says
Because Southwest has their maintenance and parts in OAK/LAX and if parts are needed, they can get them faster and have the aircraft back in service sooner. If they would have continued the flight, and other flights with the same aircraft the following days could have been delayed or cancelled. Airlines make these decisions thousands of times every year and most often take many factors into considerations.
Larry says
All airlines flying between mainland and Hawaii have ETOPS rules they have to follow. A halfway point is determined prior to each flight. If there is any type of issue that requires diversion AND your prior to the halfway point, you turn around and go back. No gray area or decision making. Nothing to do with an airport having maintenance. Its black and white. If they had been past the halfway point, they would have continued and let the company figure out how to fix the plane in Hawaii.
AMT says
As I have said many times on here, southwest is not a safe airline and the MAX is no where near a safe aircraft by any means not will it ever be.
Warren M says
It would be an interesting exercise to have you cite evidence supporting your position.
Just a radical Tuesday afternoon thought..
joseph s says
That’s ludicrous. Swa is completely safe along with the max 8. Faith runs deep with these jets as per the competitive airlines as well!
ane t says
isn’t that the max plane that did the un-explained crashing a while back? Seems like that one is not really ready for safe flying.
Debi S says
My heart goes out to all who were stuck on that flight. I hope they will have an especially enjoyable and relaxing time while in Hawaii.
Jerry says
Although not Hawaii related, 1281 was WN’s second diversion of the day. The first was WN1234 PHX-Dal, a max 8 which diverted to Abq. They flew in a plane from Dal to continue the flight so I assume it too was mechanical. Very uncommon to get two 7700 alerts from the same airline and type in one day.
ane T says
another max 8 plane?
Bob L says
I have taken at least 4 flights to/from Hawaii on the Max8. Never a problem for me.
One thing you have to take into consideration is that these types of incidents happen to a number of planes, both new and old. I would not look so much at the number of incidents that occur but rather the comparison with other airlines to see if there are more or less per passenger mile flown.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bob.
Interesting is the number of flights that are overwater. That plane was more than 90 minutes from the nearest diversion point when the problem occurred.
Aloha.
Koloa M says
ETOPS-180 for flights from the West Coast to Hawaii. So up to twice that time.
aerosavvy.com/etops/
Dana G says
We love Hawaiian. We hesitate to fly Southwest because of the 737 Super Maxes. Hawaiian Air uses airbuses.
Mark L says
You hesitate to fly on Southwest “Super Maxes”? That aircraft doesn’t even exist. Let’s have a modicum of understanding before we cast judgment. Please.
Will F says
You know exactly what she meant. Examine your life and see how many times you miss spoke a word or were not technically correct. I’ll bet it’s a lot.
Charles J. says
737 Max is the type of aircraft that has so much problems early in its life cycle.
I would be afraid to be flying over that much water in one.
Ks says
You know what they meant. The max planes southwest uses.
Teresa N says
I’ve flown in the max 900 and that’s a beautiful jet.
Beth C. says
I prefer Hawaiian Airlines.
Warren M says
caveat emptor…illustrated perfectly.
As someone who has flown Southwest a fair amount and Hawaiian once, I can see advantages on each airline…and things each could do better.
I hope we all have safe travels.
Heather M says
The Max 8 gives me great concern. I hope I never get scheduled on one. Interested to hear what happened.
Chris M says
I still don’t trust those MAX planes. They should be retired permanently. Boeing just can’t seem to get that design correct.
Ks says
It’s all about money. Retired boeing guy says they aren’t safe.
Nancy D says
I would never fly southwest especially to Hawaii 😳Never
Snort says
If you’re leaving from Oakland, you have to fly southwest or you’d never get there.
Erica says
That’s not true, we’ve flown Hawaiian out of Oakland over the last 7+ years.
Debbie D says
Hawaiian flies direct from Oakland
Sonia K says
I got it! You’re funny!!
Bill says
I like Southwest and would readily fly them to KOA from SEA if they had a departure time later than 8:00 AM! The Southwest return flight from KOA to SEA works well for us. Hawaiian Air does not fly direct to KOA.
AMT says
If you are in Seattle, why not fly a reliable and proven safe airline to Hawaii in Alaska Airlines?
Jim E says
I’m with AMT!
Our family (and extended family) have flown Alaska Airlines many times over now many years on their 737-800s always on time and enjoyable flights. I formerly lived in Alaska and experienced Alaska’s erratic weather. Only Alaska Airlines pilots have the extensive and frequent experience flying safely in very challenging weather conditions. Jim E
Warren M says
Your comment: “..Only Alaska Airlines pilots have the extensive and frequent experience flying safely in very challenging weather conditions..”
…is just flat out wrong and insulting to the large number of pilots in every airline who invest their time and effort toward passenger safety. Can you cite pilot training at Alaska that no other airline provides?
Mark L says
Southwest does not fly to SEA from any Hawaiian airport.